SWEDISH COFFEE POT- CUP AND SAUCER

Stanton Iowa, is proud of its Swedish traditions. Back in 1970, when the town celebrated its Centennial, an idea was hatched to turn our very ordinary water tower into a replica of a Swedish Coffee Pot. Funds were raised and this was accomplished. Since then the tower, standing 125 feet high and holding 40,000 gallons of water (this translates to 640,000 cups of coffee) has brought attention from national media and many tourists to town.

When it became evident that a new, larger water tower was needed, the people of Stanton decided to build one that could be decked out as a “Swedish Cup and Saucer”. A grant paid for the basic water tower structure, but money for its decoration (about $30,000) came from Stanton residents, alumni and friends. It was completed and dedicated in June, 2001. Holding 150,000 gallons of water (2.4 million cups) it provides not just drinking water, but an additional measure of fire safety for the town.

Until recently, both towers were in use. Now the old Coffee Pot is retired. Public sentiment has refused to allow the old tower to be scrapped! At considerable expense, it will soon be moved to a new site on the grounds of the Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center, to continue to served as a symbol of Stanton’s ethnic heritage.